FADE IN:

INT. NEW YORK CITY - TOWN HALL - NIGHT

PASTOR SUNNY SHAH. 55. Indian Faith-healer. Preaches in a

white suit gripping a microphone.

SUNNY
Without pills, needles, or doctors,
you can be healed. Tonight. By
helping us build God's kingdom. By
sowing those seeds. God will help
me to heal you. Say it with me!

STUDIO AUDIENCE
God will help me to heal you.

Reveal rows of FOLLOWERS in auditorium seats.

2 CAMERA OPERATORS cover Sunny from the sides of the stage.

SUNNY
Throughout history God has called
upon human vessels to help heal his
flock. I am one of those vessels,
and our sacred ministry is that
flock!

APPLAUSE.

INT. TELEVISION STUDIO - CONTROL ROOM - INTERCUT

Sunnys sermon plays live on a bank of monitors.

CONTROL OPERATORS switch the feed between Camera A and B.

SUNNY
So for those you here. And for the
millions of people watching at
home. Ready to accept the love of
the Lord into your hearts. I
welcome you to a new life.

TOWN HALL - INTERCUT

Sunny stares in to the eyes of his followers.

SUNNY
And to the non-believers. The
doubting Thomass. The cynics.
(MORE)
 2.

SUNNY (CONT'D)
The skeptics, who lack the
conviction and faith to serve in
the Lords name. I've got something
to say to you.

He pulls the TV audience towards him with his pointer finger.

Camera Operator # 1 ZOOMS IN, Sunny stares into the lens.

SUNNY (CONTD)
You cannot stop what has been
ordained. For the healing power of
Christ himself flows through these
hands. And I'm going to continue to
serve the Lord, until the day...my
heart...stops...beating. Jai hind!

AUDIENCE
Jai hind!

Audience leaps in APPLAUSE -- the song Hallelujah plays.

Sunny flashes a smile, bows like a conductor of an orchestra.

BEGIN OPENING CREDITS

EXT. EDISON, NJ COMMUNITY CENTER - MOMENTS LATER

Sunny in dark sunglasses and luxury clothes. Guards not as

luxurious as their boss.

PRAKASH
Pastor Sunny! Pastor Sunny!

HANK. 40. The head guard, shields Sunny from Prakash.

HANK
Hold up a second boss.

PRAKASH
Pastor Sunny a word please!

HANK
The Pastor cant talk right now.
Hes on his way to the airport.

PRAKASH
Forgive me, but I urgently need to
speak with you.

SUNNY
Its OK Hank.
 3.

He turns on his charm. Moves to Prakash, towers over him.

SUNNY (CONTD)
Suprabat. What can I do for you?

PRAKASH
It is a great honor to meet you
Pastor.

SUNNY
You as well.

PRAKASH
Did you receive my letter?

SUNNY
Im sure I did. But you see I have
people at the ministry to help with
my correspondence. Theres just so
much. You understand.

PRAKASH
Yes of course. My family and I
attended the recent crusade here in
Edison. We had hoped that you would
lay hands on our son, but we were
unable to make it to the stage.

Sunny puts his hand on Prakashs shoulder.

PASTOR SUNNY
Even though I did not physically
lay hands on...

PRAKASH
Anshu.

SUNNY
Anshu, was still blessed. Im going
to keep him in my prayers this
evening, and for every evening that
follows. And if he is with me, then
he is with God.

Sunny removes his hand from Prakash. Smiles, starts to walk

away.

PRAKASH
Thank you Pastor, but his illness
is very serious. Please, lay your
hands on him now. My home is not
far. I could take you in my cab, or
you could follow me-
 4.

SUNNY
Im afraid thats impossible. You
see I have urgent matters with the
ministry I must attend to.

Prakash drops to his knees.

PRAKASH
I beg you.

SUNNY
Stand up please.

Prakash, defeated, rises with tears in his eyes.

PRAKASH
Forgive me. It has been very
difficult these past few weeks.

Sunny hands him his silk handkerchief, takes pity on him.

SUNNY
I know youre suffering. But its
up to the Lord now. Put your faith
in him and your boy will get
better. You believe that dont you?

PRAKASH
With all my heart Pastor.

SUNNY
Good.

He bows his head.

SUNNY (CONTD)
In Jesus name we pray.

PRAKASH
In Jesus name we pray.

A white stretch limousine pulls up with a vanity license

plate that reads: HEALER. Hank opens the door for Sunny.

SUNNY
What is your name?

PRAKASH
Prakash. Prakash Juthani.

SUNNY
Goodbye Prakash. And remember, God
loves you. Jai hind!
 5.

BODYGUARDS
Jai Hind!

Sunny and his Guards enter the limo. Drive off.

Prakash stares solemnly. Realizes Sunny forgot his

handkerchief.

PRAKASH
Pastor Sunny! Your handkerchief!

INT. TAXI MINIVAN - DAY

Prakash enters. Looks to the saint card of Pastor Sunny on

the dashboard, a bright smile beams back at him.

PRAKASH
(with purpose)
Jai Hind.

He starts the taxi.

INT. TAXI MINIVAN - CONTINUOUS

Prakash pulls the keys out of the ignition. Looks out the
windows and surveys the area.

PRAKASH
If you could act, as if you came on
your own free will, it would be
best. When we are finished I will
return you to your hotel. You have
my word.

Prakash opens his door and exits.

INT. JUTHANI'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Noor snores on the sofa bed. Shah enters the apartment first.

Prakash locks the door from the outside, the only way out
with the key. He pockets the key and revolver.

PRAKASH
This way please.

INT. ANSHU'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

ARUNA reads a childrens book to ANSHU.

 6.

Sunny and Prakash enter the room.

ARUNA
Pastor Sunny? You've come!

PRAKASH
Pastor this is my wife Aruna.

SUNNY
Hello.

ARUNA
(to Prakash)
How?

PRAKASH
I went to the Pastors hotel, and
when I told him about Anshus
condition, he agreed to help.

Aruna looks to Shah for reassurance. Sunny turns on the charm

like a light switch.

SUNNY SHAH
Yes. I dont normally make house
calls. But under these special
circumstances, how could I not?

Aruna gently lays Anshus head down against a pillow. Stands

to greet their honored guest.

ARUNA
Thank you. God is great.

SUNNY
Lets have a look at your boy.

Sunny takes in the sight of Anshu.

SUNNY (CONTD)
Can he hear me?

ARUNA
Its the only sense he has left.

Sunny blesses the child, then himself.

SUNNY SHAH
Lord, we ask for your divine
strength and power in order to heal
this boy.

He places his hands on Anshus head, closes his eyes.

 7.

Prakash and Aruna raise their hands with open palms.

SUNNY
Substance. Substance. Substance.
Substance. The substance of the
holy ghost. I rebuke this illness
in the name of Jesus. I rebuke this
illness in the name of Jesus. I
rebuke this illness in the name of
Jesus. Lord cast out these wicked
tumors from this sacred childs
mind and free his body from the
shackles of evil which plague his
spirit. Glory! Glory! Glory is
yours! Heal him of his affliction
and make him whole, for he is
perfection in your image. Free of
all error and all sin. In Jesus
name we pray. Amen.

He opens his eyes, removes his hands. Anshu looks the same.

SUNNY SHAH
Hold vigil tonight and hell be
better in the morning.

Prakash feels Anshus forehead.

PRAKASH
Hes still warm. We must try again.

SUNNY SHAH
I really should be getting back to
my hotel-

PRAKASH
Darling, Pastor Sunny and I have
some matters to discuss in the
kitchen.

ARUNA
I can make Kheer if youd like
Pastor Sunny?

SUNNY SHAH
Perhaps some other time. Thank you.
Stay with your boy.

ARUNA
God bless you.

Tears well up in her eyes. She hugs Sunny. Hes uncomfortable

at first, then gives in, places his arms around her.
 8.

INT. PRAKASH'S KITCHEN - LATER

Sunny sits with an empty mug in front of him. Prakash pours 2

cups of tea.

PRAKASH
Would you care for some honey?

Sunny stares at the gun in Prakashs waistline.

PRAKASH (CONTD)
I am sorry it had come to this
Pastor Sunny. If you would have
came earlier when I asked-

SUNNY
What gives you the right to take
me? You think youre the only whos
suffered? The only father with a
sick child? Your arrogance has made
you blind, and youve corrupted
your soul.

PRAKASH
My wife and I are very honored to
have you in our home. We are
dedicated members of Sun
Ministries. We pray daily, and
support the church as best we can.

SUNNY
That does not absolve you!

Noor stirs in the living room, tosses on the sofa bed.

PRAKASH
Please lower your voice.

Prakash sits. Samples his tea, still too hot.

PRAKASH (CONTD)
I believe God has put us all on the
same path for a reason. You are
meant to be here. You must heal
him.

SUNNY
Must? Prakash by taking me, by
forcing my hands, you have offended
God. Im afraid you may have
worsened your boys condition.

Prakash sips his tea.

 9.

PRAKASH
Who was that woman in your room? Is
she an officer?

SUNNY
Officer?

PRAKASH
The handcuffs. Is she a police
official?

Shah cant believe his naivety.

SUNNY
Shes a colleague I work with.

PRAKASH
Do you take baths with all your
colleagues?

Shah holds his tongue, Prakash isnt so oblivious after all.

PRAKASH (CONTD)
Forgive me, I should not pry. It
seems we have both sinned tonight.

SUNNY
Prakash I am only a vessel. Im a
man just like you. I do not decide
who is cured and who suffers. All I
do is lay hands. God does the
healing. He alone will decide when
your son is healed. Let me go and I
may still forgive you. God may
still forgive you.

PRAKASH
God will not punish my son for the
sins of his father.

SUNNY
Dont be so sure.